AFC North......Who You Got?

• Ironman92

  

  One of the toughest years in a while to predict IMO. No way would I bet against Pittsburgh, Baltimore or Cincy.....and the Browns being pretty good is more than possible.
  
  Things are set up well for Cincy......If I HAD to bet.....I'd probably take them. If they get off to a good start they'll be tough......a slow start could get ugly in Cincy. Baltimore is pretty knicked up and the Steelers are without Ben for a bit put them a notch back IMO.......but I think any of the 3 could go for 11 wins.
  
  I hope Polamalu is healthy most of the year.
• Ironman92

  

  lol....just seconds after I started this thread ESPN has the AFC North Preview on it's mainpage.
• Ironman92

  

  http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/15132/afc-north-training-camp-preview-2
• Laley23

  

  Id put a whole bunch of money on Baltimore.
  
  Im not nearly as on Pittsburgh or Cincy as some, so I dont see either beating out Baltimore for the title.
• killer_ewok

  

  With all due respect to the Browns.....I think it's a 3 horse race in the AFC North. To avoid being a "homer"......I'll go with Baltimore. Wouldn't be shocked if the Bengals or Steelers won it though.
• Ironman92

  

  Ed Reed will be out for a bit won't he?
  
  
  I'm taking the Bengals right now for health reasons if anything
• karen lotz

  

  According to my facebook news feed, the Bengals are now the favorite to win the Super Bowl.
• Ironman92

  

  THAT'S Too much! lol
• Ironman92

  

  I could see the Benglas flying loose through the season in great fashion....and then locking up in the first playoff game for past memories and pressures
• ironman02

  Ironman92;435099 wrote:Ed Reed will be out for a bit won't he?
  
  
  I'm taking the Bengals right now for health reasons if anything

  I think I heard that Reed will definitely start the season on the physically unable to perform list. Might miss something like the first six games.
  
  I'm taking the Browns to win the North...by two games.
• karen lotz

  

  Not sure if this is correct, but if he goes on the PUP list he HAS to miss at least the first 6 games.
• ironman02

  karen lotz;435109 wrote:Not sure if this is correct, but if he goes on the PUP list he HAS to miss at least the first 6 games.

  
  I'm thinking you're right. I wasn't sure if the six games was a projection or a requirement, but now that you mention it, I'm pretty sure it's a requirement if you get put on the PUP list.
• karen lotz

  

  Ok I was kind of right. If a player goes on the PUP list before training camp starts, he can come off of it at any point. If he goes on once camp starts, he has to sit the first 6 games. The first case would be the Active PUP list, the second would be the Reserve PUP list.
• Scarlet_Fever

  

  Cincy I believe was overrated last year and could have just as easily been about 4 games worse. Not that they were bad at all obviously I just think they were very lucky in some games. I just don't see the Steelers being Great this year. The Browns obviously would need a huge turn arournd to compete. I believe it will be down to Cincinnati and Balitmore. I think Balitmore will have a slightly better D (at least once Reed returns) and Cincinnati will have a slightly better offense. I give the nod to the Bengals only on the hope that Batman and Robin don't become too big of a distraction. The Steelers very easily could compete but since Fat Ben is out for a while I don't think they will win the division.
• gerb131

  

  Cincy will take the North again followed by Balt, Pitt, and Cleve. I think the North is home to a wildcard slot as well.
• justincredible

  

  For the sake of the city I hope the Bengals have another playoff season but I've gotta go with Baltimore right now.
• like_that

  

  I am going with Baltimore to take the division this year. I think they have one last hurrah with their defense with or without reed. They just seem like the most solid team with the least amount of questions. Maybe I am wrong and this is the year the defense finally implodes.
  
  I agree with scartlet_fever's take on the Bengals last season. They reminded me of the 2003 Browns(9-7 playoffs), where they could have won 11 games or easily end up with 5 wins. Adding TO is not the answer. He destructs teams, and even if he is on his best behavior how much can he really add? He is going to turn 37 and his stats naturally with age have been regressing the past three years. Also the Bengals are MUCH better when they are a balanced team anyway. If they start airing the ball out without much regard to their running game, do not expect them to make the playoffs. I also think Bengal's fans are banking on the fact that Benson will repeat his 2009 performance. That is definitely not a guarantee. They went 6-0 in the division last year, I don't see it happening this year.
  
  I think the Steelers season is a wash this year. Roethlisberger missing the first 4-6 games is going to hurt, and even when he comes back he needs to adjust to game speed. Losing Holmes hurts as well.
  
  I am as pessimistic as it is when it comes to being a Browns fan. I have them last in the division, however I see them playing a lot tougher this year, especially later in the season when it gets cold. They end their season with their last 3 games pitted against division rivals, and I won't be surprised if they play spoiler. I can honestly see them take a game or 2 in the division.
• like_that

  

  Also would like to add that I do not believe a wildcard will be coming out of this division.
• mattinctown

  This comes down to Cincy and Baltimore, I'm going to have to go with Cincy, Baltimore's defense isn't all that close to what it used to be. Pittsburgh will finish maybe 8-8, with Cleveland bringing up the rear at 5-11.
• osu45804

  

  Cincinnati 12 - 4
  
  Baltimore 10 - 6
  
  Pittsburgh 8 - 8
  
  Cleveland 5 - 11
• Non

  

  Ravens are going to have a big year IMO
  
  They lost a lot of close games last year and that probably won't happen again.
  
  I'll say Ravens 11-5
  Cincinnati 10-6
  Pittsburgh 9-7
  Cleveland 7-9 or 8-8
• DeyDurkie5

  

  browns taking second behind the bengals
• THE4RINGZ

  

  Ravens 12-4
  Steelers 11-5
  Bengals 9-7
  Browns 7-9
• Nate

  Cincy
  Balt
  Pitt
  Clev
• thedynasty1998

  

  Boldin is a key player in this division, however I think with Reed out the first part of the season and Ray Lewis just being a year older, Cincy wins the division and Baltimore gets the wild card. I think Pitt really takes a step back this year.